Three-Dimensional Characterization of Lumbar Lordosis in Torsion

The curvature of the lumbar spine has been extensively studied, mostly in relation to scoliosis.¹ Previous three-dimensional models of scoliosis allowed for the characterization of specific abnormalities in the sagittal, coronal and axial planes. Recent research has shown that these same spinal structure abnormalities (including facet joint orientation) may also be associated with spondylolisthesis,² aging, and the onset of lower back pain, among other potential etiologies.³ Newer imaging technologies allow for more precise determination of the spinal curvature⁴ with all of these studies typically carried out in the neutral position (standing or supine). To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is no study of the behavior of the spinal curvature with axial torsion in vivo. We hypothesized that the spinal curvature when experiencing torsion will deviate significantly from the neutral position due to the complex coupled motions in the spine. The objective of this study is to characterize in vivo the change in lumbar segmental lordosis of the asymptomatic spine during torsion.